Must SeeFree
Oia Sunset
Oia
Sunset from the whitewashed cliff-top village is the island’s most famous show.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Photographers
Open-air; best around sunset
Santorini
Whitewashed clifftop villages above a flooded volcanic caldera.
Overview
Why go to Santorini
Santorini is the postcard Greek island: bright-white villages on the rim of a volcanic caldera, famous sunsets and black-sand beaches. It is expensive and busy in summer, so shoulder seasons are wise.
- Where
- Cyclades, Greece
- Recommended stay
- 3–5 nights
- Best time to go
- May–June and September–October; July and August are busiest and priciest.
- Approx. daily budget
- £100–200 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Santorini cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£90–130a day
- Mid-range traveller£180–260a day
- Luxury traveller£360+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 26 Top picks in Santorini
Must SeeFree
Fira Town and Caldera Views
Fira
The island’s capital, perched on the caldera edge, with shops, cafés and cable-car access.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Photographers
Open-air; shops and cafés open daily
Must See~£14
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Akrotiri
A Minoan Bronze Age town preserved under volcanic ash, with multi-storey houses.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 8:00–20:00
Must See~£4
Ancient Thera
Mesa Vouno
Hilltop ruins of a Greek and Roman city, with panoramic views of the coast.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers
Open most days, roughly 8:30–15:30
Hidden Gems
See all 11 Beyond the checklist
BeachesFree
Red Beach
Akrotiri
A dramatic beach of red volcanic cliffs and dark sand.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Beach lovers · Photographers
Open access; some rockfall risk
Hidden GemsFree
Fira to Oia Hike
Caldera rim
A cliff-top walking path with constant caldera views between the island’s main villages.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Outdoor lovers · Photographers
Open-air; start early to avoid heat
Food & Drink~£25
Santorini Wine Tasting
Pyrgos
Try Assyrtiko and Vinsanto in a volcanic-soil winery with a caldera view.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Couples · Food lovers
Wineries open daily; sunset slots popular
Day Trips~£30
Volcano and Hot Springs Boat Trip
Nea Kameni
A boat trip to the active volcano islet with a short hike and a swim in warm springs.
- Suggested time: 5 hrs
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Families
Trips run daily in season
Food & Restaurants
See all 8 Where to eat
Metaxi Mas
A beloved taverna in a village setting, known for creative, local dishes and generous portions.
Known for: Fava, lamb, seafood
About £13–25 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Lucky’s Souvlakis
A famous souvlaki shop in the centre of Fira, serving cheap, filling wraps.
Known for: Souvlaki and gyros
Under about £13 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Nikolas Taverna
A long-running family taverna in the centre of Fira with home cooking.
Known for: Tomatokeftedes, moussaka
About £13–25 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Selene
A restaurant championing Santorini’s local ingredients, from white aubergines to cherry tomatoes.
Known for: Modern Greek tasting menu
£45+ per person
Special occasion Good for Couples · Groups
A suggested Santorini itinerary
3 nights Couple
Santorini · Highlights
Santorini in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Santorini picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Santorini Wine Tasting, Megalochori Village, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Fira Town and Caldera Views
- Day 2 · Volcano and Hot Springs Boat Trip, Oia Sunset
- Day 3 · Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Red Beach
Plan Santorini your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.